Sofa with side tray table

ABSTRACT

A sofa with a tray table mechanism. A tray table that is configured to fold out is attached to a seat deck of the sofa via a pair of hinges that is placed on a side of the seat deck. The tray table includes a panel for holding small items that is attached to the seat deck via the pair of hinges. The panel is further connected underneath to a u-shaped leg member via a pair of brackets, where the u-shaped leg member is used for supporting the panel. The tray table may be easily closed or opened. In this manner, an individual on the sofa may easily access an item on the tray table without the physical effort involved in obtaining the item by getting off the sofa.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to sofas, and more particularly to a sofa with a side tray table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A sofa is an upholstered item of furniture for the comfortable seating of more than one person and typically has an armrest on both sides of the sofa along with a back rest. Sofas are usually to be found in the family room, living room, den or the lounge. They are covered in a variety of textiles or in leather.

In many settings, a separately purchased coffee table (also referred to as a cocktail table) is placed in front of the sofa. The coffee table is used to support beverages, magazines, books, a laptop computer, and other small items to be used while sitting on the sofa. If a person sitting on the sofa wants an item from the coffee table, such as a drink or a laptop computer, the person usually has to stretch or get up from the sofa to obtain the item. While it may not be much physical effort to stretch or get up from the sofa, there are times when people prefer having the ability to simply sit in the sofa with the ability to easily obtain an item, such as a beverage.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a sofa with a built-in mechanism, such as a tray table, that holds various small items, such as a beverage or a laptop computer, that is easily accessible by a person sitting on the sofa.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sofa with a tray table mechanism comprises a sofa comprising a seat deck and two sides, each side comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, where a pair of hinges is attached to the outer portion of at least one side. The sofa with the tray table mechanism further comprises a tray table panel attached to the seat deck via the pair of hinges, where the tray table panel is configured to fold out from a vertical position along the outer portion, of the at least one side, to a horizontal position. The tray table panel comprises a base underneath the tray table panel and one or more brackets attached to the base. The sofa with the tray table mechanism further comprises a u-shaped leg member attached to the one or more brackets, where the u-shaped leg member is configured to be placed in a vertical position when the tray table panel is in the horizontal position thereby supporting the tray table panel and forming a tray table. The u-shaped leg member folds into the base of the tray table panel when not in use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a sofa with a tray table mechanism comprises a sofa comprising a seat deck and two sides, each side comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, where a pair of hinges is attached to the outer portion of at least one side. The sofa with the tray table mechanism further comprises a tray table attached to an outer portion of a side of the seat deck via the pair of hinges, where the tray table is configured to fold out. The tray table comprises a u-shaped leg member mounted to an underside of a panel of the tray table at selected positions of the panel of the tray table via multiple brackets, where the u-shaped leg member is fastened with one or more cylindrical rubbers at a base of the u-shaped leg member. The u-shaped leg member folds into a base of the panel of the tray table when not in use.

The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the present invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a sofa in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a tray table attached to a seat deck of the sofa in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for closing the tray table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-E depict cross-sectional views of closing the tray table during the steps described in FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for opening the tray table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a sofa with a tray table mechanism. In one embodiment of the present invention, a tray table that is configured to fold out is attached to a seat deck of the sofa via a pair of hinges that is placed on a side of the seat deck. The tray table includes a panel for holding small items (e.g., beverages, a laptop computer) that is attached to the seat deck via the pair of hinges. The panel is further connected underneath to a u-shaped leg member via a pair of brackets, where the u-shaped leg member is used for supporting the panel. The u-shaped leg member includes two cylindrical rubbers fastened at the base of the u-shaped leg member in order to protect the floor from scratching. The tray table may be easily closed or opened. In this manner, an individual on the sofa may easily access an item on the tray table without the physical effort involved in accessing the item in other manners, such as obtaining the item by getting off the sofa.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details.

As discussed in the Background section, in many settings, a coffee table (also referred to as a cocktail table) is placed in front of the sofa. The coffee table is used to support beverages, magazines, books, a laptop computer, and other small items to be used while sitting on the sofa. If a person sitting on the sofa wants an item from the coffee table, such as a drink or a laptop computer, the person usually has to stretch or get up from the sofa to obtain the item. While it may not be much physical effort to stretch or get up from the sofa, there are times when people prefer having the ability to simply sit in the sofa with the ability to easily obtain an item, such as a beverage. Hence, there is a need in the art for a sofa with a built-in mechanism, such as a tray table, that holds various small items, such as a beverage or a laptop computer, that is easily accessible by a person sitting on the sofa.

The sofa of the present invention, includes an attached tray table that makes it easy for the user to obtain an item, such as a beverage or a laptop computer, without getting off the sofa as discussed below in connection with FIGS. 1-3, 4A-E and 5.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the sofa with an attached tray table. FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the tray table attached to a seat deck of the sofa. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for closing the tray table. FIGS. 4A-E depict cross-sectional views of closing the tray table during the steps described in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for opening the tray table.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates a sofa 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Sofa 100 may include two main sections, a seat deck 101 and a back rest 102. Seat deck 101 is used primarily for sitting by the user of sofa 100. Back rest 102 is used primarily for resting the back of the user of sofa 100. In one embodiment, sofa 100 is a convertible sofa bed. As illustrated in FIG. 1, sofa 100 includes two sides, where each side includes an inner portion and an outer portion.

Referring again to FIG. 1, seat deck 101 may include two front legs 103A-B and two rear legs (only 103C is shown) to provide support to seat deck 101 when a user sits on seat deck 101.

Sofa 100 may additionally include a tray table 104 that includes a panel 105 attached to an outer portion of a side of seat deck 101 (e.g., attached to the outer portion of the right side of seat deck 101) via two metal hinges 106A-B (only metal hinge 106A is shown in FIG. 1) as illustrated in FIG. 2. That is, metal hinges 106A-B are attached to an outer portion of a side of sofa 100. Tray table 104 is configured to fold out from a vertical position along the outer portion of a side of sofa 100 to a horizontal position as discussed below in connection with FIGS. 3, 4A-E and 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of tray table 104 attached to seat deck 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, in conjunction with FIG. 1, tray table 104 includes a panel 105 attached to seat deck 101 via metal hinges 106A-B. Hinges 106A-B may collectively or individually be referred to as hinges 106 or hinge 106, respectively. In one embodiment, panel 105 is fabricated out of solid wood.

Tray table 104 may further include a u-shaped leg member 107 connected to panel 105 via two metal brackets 108A-B at the base of panel 105, where u-shaped leg member 107 is used for supporting panel 105 as discussed and illustrated further below in connection with FIGS. 3, 4A-E and 5. Metal brackets may collectively or individually be referred to as brackets 108 or bracket 108, respectively. U-shaped leg member 107 is configured to be placed in a vertical position when panel 105 is in the horizontal position thereby supporting panel 105 and forming tray table 104. Further, u-shaped leg member 107 folds into the base of panel 105 when not in use as discussed and illustrated below in connection with FIGS. 4A-E.

Additionally, u-shaped leg member 107 may include two cylindrical rubbers 109A-B fastened at the base of u-shaped leg member 107 in order to protect the floor from scratching. Cylindrical rubbers 109A-B may collectively or individually be referred to as rubbers 109 or rubber 109, respectively. In one embodiment, rubbers 109 may be spaced equally from the sides of u-shaped leg member 107 in order to provide optimal stability.

A method for closing tray table 104 is discussed below in connection with FIG. 3. FIG. 3 will be discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 4A-E, which depict cross-sectional views of closing tray table 104 during the steps described in FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2 and 4A-E, in step 301, a user holds a side of u-shaped leg member 107.

In step 302, a user lifts upwards u-shaped leg member 107 until u-shaped leg member 107 sits neatly into the bottom part of tray table 104 (i.e., base of panel 105 of tray table 104) as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C.

In step 303, a user releases gently panel 105 of tray table 104 downwards until it sits neatly in the vertical position against the side of sofa 100 (e.g., outer portion of the right side of seat deck 101) as illustrated in FIGS. 4D-E. As illustrated in FIG. 4E, u-shaped leg member 107 is concealed beneath panel 105 when tray table 104 is not in use.

Method 300 may include other and/or additional steps that, for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 300 may be executed in a different order presented and the order presented in the discussion of FIG. 3 is illustrative. Additionally, certain steps in method 300 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or may be omitted.

A method for opening tray table 104 is discussed below in connection with FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, in step 501, panel 105 of tray table 104 is pulled upwards into the horizontal position.

In step 502, a user reaches under panel 105 of tray table 104 and pulls out u-shaped leg member 107 until it is vertically aligned with the floor thereby supporting panel 105 of tray table 104 which is in a horizontal position.

Method 500 may include other and/or additional steps that, for clarity, are not depicted. Further, method 500 may be executed in a different order presented and the order presented in the discussion of FIG. 5 is illustrative. Additionally, certain steps in method 500 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or may be omitted.

Although the sofa is described in connection with several embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A sofa with a tray table mechanism, comprising: a sofa comprising a seat deck and two sides, each side comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein a pair of hinges is attached to said outer portion of at least one side; a tray table panel attached to said seat deck via said pair of hinges, wherein said tray table panel is configured to fold out from a vertical position along the outer portion, of said at least one side, to a horizontal position, wherein said tray table panel comprises: a base underneath said tray table panel; and one or more brackets attached to said base; and a u-shaped leg member attached to said one or more brackets, wherein said u-shaped leg member is configured to be placed in a vertical position when said tray table panel is in said horizontal position thereby supporting said tray table panel and forming a tray table, and wherein said u-shaped leg member folds into said base of said tray table panel when not in use.
 2. The sofa as recited in claim 1, wherein said u-shaped leg member comprises cylindrical rubbers fastened at a base of said u-shaped leg member.
 3. The sofa as recited in claim 2, wherein said u-shaped leg member comprises two cylindrical rubbers.
 4. The sofa as recited in claim 3, wherein said two cylindrical rubbers are spaced equally from the sides of said u-shaped leg member.
 5. The sofa as recited in claim 1, wherein said tray table is closed by holding a side of said u-shaped leg member, lifting upwards until said u-shaped leg member sits neatly into said base of said tray table panel, and releasing said tray table panel downwards until said tray table panel sits in said vertical position against said outer portion of said at least one side of said seat deck.
 6. The sofa as recited in claim 1, wherein said tray table is opened by pulling said tray table panel upwards into said horizontal position, reaching under said tray table panel and pulling out said u-shaped leg member until it is vertically aligned to a floor.
 7. The sofa as recited in claim 1, wherein said u-shaped leg member is concealed beneath said tray table panel when not in use.
 8. The sofa as recited in claim 1, wherein said sofa is a convertible sofa bed.
 9. A sofa with a tray table mechanism, comprising: a sofa comprising a seat deck and two sides, each side comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein a pair of hinges is attached to said outer portion of at least one side; a tray table attached to an outer portion of a side of said seat deck via said pair of hinges, wherein said tray table is configured to fold out, wherein said tray table comprises a u-shaped leg member mounted to an underside of a panel of said tray table at selected positions of said panel of said tray table via multiple brackets, wherein said u-shaped leg member is fastened with one or more cylindrical rubbers at a base of said u-shaped leg member, wherein said u-shaped leg member folds into a base of said panel of said tray table when not in use.
 10. The sofa as recited in claim 9, wherein said u-shaped leg member comprises two cylindrical rubbers.
 11. The sofa as recited in claim 10, wherein said two cylindrical rubbers are spaced equally from the sides of said u-shaped leg member.
 12. The sofa as recited in claim 9, wherein said tray table is closed by holding a side of said u-shaped leg member, lifting upwards until said u-shaped leg member sits neatly into said base of said panel of said tray table, and releasing said panel of said tray table downwards until said panel of said tray table sits in a vertical position against said outer portion of said at least one side of said seat deck.
 13. The sofa as recited in claim 9, wherein said tray table is opened by pulling said panel of said tray table upwards into a horizontal position, reaching under said panel of said tray table and pulling out said u-shaped leg member until it is vertically aligned to a floor.
 14. The sofa as recited in claim 9, wherein said u-shaped leg member is concealed beneath said panel of said tray table when not in use.
 15. The sofa as recited in claim 9, wherein said sofa is a convertible sofa bed. 